Advice needed on build for rookie

[Jeh88]

Hi all. Looking to put skytrak sim in my basement. My main concern is having an absolute 100% safe experience with no bounceback or shank issues. I also only have one spot I can put it.

ceilings are 9 ft and tee to screen max distance is 7.5-8 ft.

Trying to post picture but havinig issues. I have a 2 ft deep inset in the concrete foundation. It is 10’7” wide. Do I just put pads like gymnast mats on the side? I was hoping to do a 10 ft wide screen and hit just slightly off center. Will the pads stop the ball from coming back? I’m probably a 10-15 handicap and shank it every now and then. Will also have friends over that are not great but will want to play. I’m just so worried about ball coming back and hitting someone. I also have little kids. I’m looking to make basically the most safe possible enclosure possible. If I can’t do that then honestly probably won’t even do a sim.

[Rodney333]

Jeh have you considered hanging a soft net from the ceiling?

[golfsimulatorsite]

If you want total protection, you need a full cage. 10 long x 9 high x 10 deep. that way you are hitting inside cage. Then you need proper padding around the screen and frame.And a low bounce back screen If you can post pics of your area and dimensions. I can get you some options. thx

chip

[Rcrosley51]

You have about the same amount of space that I had to work with. Read this...

If you are doing a garage/basement build with limited space, one can put 1/2 dense carpet padding on the walls (if the walls are finished) glued and screwed after pre-wiring. Carpet and padding is as good as any sound insulation.

On the ceiling just above the screen there is a thin sheet of plywood that is 5ft in depth (front to back) that that runs the width of the ceiling to keep the lob shots from destroying the drywall under the carpet and padding. Then I covered the walls and ceiling with black carpet (will enhance your projector). One the floor is a dense mesh turf. The space is 9.5 ft high x 12.5 feet wide. I'm right handed so i have to hit slightly off center to the right. If I had more space, of course it would have been wider! To save time I bought a custom fitted screen Par 2 Pro that came with everything including the finishing around the edges. The projector is overhead about 3 ft in front. The screen is 18" in front of the back wall. Behind the screen is a sound bar and sub woofer with the same setup for the side TV. I took down the forward overhead light. The ball is teed up 15' from the screen. I hope this may give someone some ideas . . .

[xfactor989]

For the Kids and other beginners, you can use foam golf balls. Skytrak will be able to read it. Distances, spin etc will off compared to a real gold ball but my kids had fun and i felt better every time a shank hit the skytrak

[golfsimulatorsite]

callaway makes a hard orange rubber practice ball that is perfect for kids

https://www.amazon.com/Callaway-HX-Practice-Golf-Balls/dp/B0026A6YIO